June 12, 2003

To Eruvande
Tom M.

To marry Aragorn, Arwen became mortal - albeit long-lived. Had she not died of grief, she might have lived another 500 years before greying and dying. Their children are then mortal and long-lived, although with less potential than their mother.

Elrond chose Elf kind. His children then have the choice. Each choice of 'mortal' renders the line mortal. Each choice of Elf kind means all children will have the choice.

*

"Is it true that if a Elf would give up their immortality that they could give it to someone else?"

No. Only Illuvatar could do this for someone. We are all creatures of His thought.

*

"what happened to Gimli after he passed over the Sea? Did he gain immortality?"

He aged and died in complete peace. As explained to the Numenoreans, the Undying Lands are named so because of the fact that those who live and rule there are immortal. Living there does not change the nature of the individual. That would require divine mandate. All grafitti aside, Frodo is dead, but he died without pain or fear.